And it’s a record he plans to build on. I talked to him at the Inauguration Gala Saturday at the Raleigh Convention Center, and he made it clear that he doesn’t give detractors a second thought — except when the media asks for a response.

The issues, he says, will draw his focus — not the “10 to 15 people exercising their first amendment,” how he refers to the handful of protesters at Governor Pat McCrory’s swearing-in ceremony.

Those issues, for the short term, focus on Health and Human Services, he says, the incoming Affordable Care Act.“And the overall turning the economy around,” he says.

That’s task one.

“And then for the long term, it’s education, education, education.”Pope, who has had one week on the job, says it’s been “so far, so good."

He commended departed Governor Beverly Perdue and her team for the smooth transition, and looks to the task ahead. It’s enough to worry about, he says.